Redistricting

Redistricting power grabs seen nationally and in many states haven’t happened in Minnesota, but it’s not for lack of trying. Divided government has kept the state’s two largest parties from having enough muscle to push through new electoral maps that could give them an advantage.

The Minnesota court panel that settled the latest round of political redistricting is now being asked to cover more than $628,000 in legal bills for the Democrats, Republicans and citizens who joined the lawsuit.

Fresh off the national stage of a failed presidential bid, Republican Michele Bachmann said Tuesday that she will seek re-election to her Minnesota congressional seat, even though her home is being thrown into a district currently represented by a Democrat.

Earlier this week Michele Bachmann announced she will run for re-election in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District. And while she has become a national figure, her re-election bid faces a difficult hurdle.

A proposed remake of a Minnesota congressional district map would lump Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum into a district with Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, the presidential hopeful who hasn’t ruled out another bid for Congress should her current campaign fail.

A special panel on redistricting appointed by Minnesota’s Supreme Court chief justice will hold a series of public meetings to give interested people and groups a chance to be heard on the once-a-decade process of redrawing the state political map.

Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed Republican-drafted maps for new Minnesota congressional and legislative districts, making it likely the state’s once-a-decade redistricting process will end up in the courts.

The state Senate has sent Gov. Mark Dayton bills that alter the boundaries of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts and 67 legislative districts, but they are likely to draw a veto from the Democratic chief executive.